Llopart 'Brut Reserva' Rosé Cava, Corpinnat, Penedès, Spain 2022
The Llopart family's viticultural history at Can Llopart de Subirats is documented to 1385, when Bernardus Leopardi received a land grant already planted to vines in the mountainous interior of the Alta Penedès. Over the following six centuries and 27 generations, the family cultivated the same estate, producing sparkling wine commercially from 1887 — making Llopart the oldest continuously family-owned sparkling wine house in Spain. The house was consolidated as a fine sparkling producer in the mid-20th century under Pere Llopart i Vilarós. In 2017, Llopart departed the DO Cava to become one of the six founding members of Corpinnat, a new premium classification for organically farmed, estate-grown, hand-harvested traditional method sparkling wines from a defined zone at the heart of Penedès. Llopart were early pioneers of rosé sparkling wine in Spain and, as a founding Corpinnat member, advocated that the association restrict rosé production to exclusively red grape varieties.
- FARMING: Certified organic. All 102 hectares of estate vineyards farmed entirely by hand without mechanization. Older vineyards are dry-farmed; irrigation is used only to establish young vines, in accordance with Corpinnat regulations, at maximum yields of 8 T/Ha. Primary training is spur-pruned bush vines (gobelet); younger plantings on high-density trellises. Plowing in the oldest parcels is done by horse.
- VARIETY: 60% Monastrell, 20% Garnatxa (Garnacha), 20% Pinot Noir
- TERROIR: The Can Llopart estate sits at an average elevation of 360 meters in the municipality of Subirats, south of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia in the Alta Penedès, within the Corpinnat zone. Soils are rocky calcareous clay of sandy texture over limestone and dolomite bedrock formed approximately 20 million years ago, rich in marine fossil deposits. The combination of elevation, steep slopes, terraces, and Mediterranean climate with significant diurnal temperature variation extends the ripening period and yields wines of pronounced aromatic definition and naturally high acidity. Vine age ranges from plantings established between 1970 and 2000.
- VINIFICATION: Méthode Traditionnelle. Grapes hand harvested and cooled to 14°C upon arrival at the winery. Whole-cluster pressed at very gentle pressure; only 50% of the first press used. Base wines vinified in small lots of 1,000–5,000L via spontaneous fermentation, maintaining parcel segregation. Base wines aged sur lie in tank before racking to bottle. Secondary fermentation completed in bottle. Residual sugar: 7 g/L.
- AGING: Minimum 18 months on the lees in bottle. Disgorgement date printed on back label per Corpinnat requirements.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale cherry-pink with fine, consistent mousse. The nose is lively and fruit-driven, with wild strawberry, orange zest, and a smoky mineral lift. The palate is juicy and focused, with red berry, tangerine, and spice, resolving into a refreshingly bitter blood orange note on the long, precise finish. Good structure and balanced acidity throughout.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Aperitif, charcuterie, seafood paella, grilled prawns, spring salads with berries, soft-ripened cheeses.
- SCORES: Wine Spectator: 90 pts (2022 vintage, disgorged November 2024); Vinous: 91 pts (2022 vintage)
Llopart 'Brut Reserva' Rosé Cava, Corpinnat, Penedès, Spain 2022
The Llopart family's viticultural history at Can Llopart de Subirats is documented to 1385, when Bernardus Leopardi received a land grant already planted to vines in the mountainous interior of the Alta Penedès. Over the following six centuries and 27 generations, the family cultivated the same estate, producing sparkling wine commercially from 1887 — making Llopart the oldest continuously family-owned sparkling wine house in Spain. The house was consolidated as a fine sparkling producer in the mid-20th century under Pere Llopart i Vilarós. In 2017, Llopart departed the DO Cava to become one of the six founding members of Corpinnat, a new premium classification for organically farmed, estate-grown, hand-harvested traditional method sparkling wines from a defined zone at the heart of Penedès. Llopart were early pioneers of rosé sparkling wine in Spain and, as a founding Corpinnat member, advocated that the association restrict rosé production to exclusively red grape varieties.
- FARMING: Certified organic. All 102 hectares of estate vineyards farmed entirely by hand without mechanization. Older vineyards are dry-farmed; irrigation is used only to establish young vines, in accordance with Corpinnat regulations, at maximum yields of 8 T/Ha. Primary training is spur-pruned bush vines (gobelet); younger plantings on high-density trellises. Plowing in the oldest parcels is done by horse.
- VARIETY: 60% Monastrell, 20% Garnatxa (Garnacha), 20% Pinot Noir
- TERROIR: The Can Llopart estate sits at an average elevation of 360 meters in the municipality of Subirats, south of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia in the Alta Penedès, within the Corpinnat zone. Soils are rocky calcareous clay of sandy texture over limestone and dolomite bedrock formed approximately 20 million years ago, rich in marine fossil deposits. The combination of elevation, steep slopes, terraces, and Mediterranean climate with significant diurnal temperature variation extends the ripening period and yields wines of pronounced aromatic definition and naturally high acidity. Vine age ranges from plantings established between 1970 and 2000.
- VINIFICATION: Méthode Traditionnelle. Grapes hand harvested and cooled to 14°C upon arrival at the winery. Whole-cluster pressed at very gentle pressure; only 50% of the first press used. Base wines vinified in small lots of 1,000–5,000L via spontaneous fermentation, maintaining parcel segregation. Base wines aged sur lie in tank before racking to bottle. Secondary fermentation completed in bottle. Residual sugar: 7 g/L.
- AGING: Minimum 18 months on the lees in bottle. Disgorgement date printed on back label per Corpinnat requirements.
- TASTING NOTES: Pale cherry-pink with fine, consistent mousse. The nose is lively and fruit-driven, with wild strawberry, orange zest, and a smoky mineral lift. The palate is juicy and focused, with red berry, tangerine, and spice, resolving into a refreshingly bitter blood orange note on the long, precise finish. Good structure and balanced acidity throughout.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Aperitif, charcuterie, seafood paella, grilled prawns, spring salads with berries, soft-ripened cheeses.
- SCORES: Wine Spectator: 90 pts (2022 vintage, disgorged November 2024); Vinous: 91 pts (2022 vintage)